The Greenville times., 1887-12-17
THE sPRlEERsHIP.

The suggestion Of the maine Of the
Hon. L. ". Magruder Of this county
for speaker OF the next House. has
been received With general approba-
I tion by the press of the state Ills
fitness for the place has been COIN
nended aud advocated 10y paper.
which differ widely upon many public
questions This indeed is the strength
Of his candidacy, because il j. the evil
dence Of confidence ia his ability. con-
seryatisIn aud patriotism In the pres
ent position of Affairs. il would be
both a misfortune 10 the State and the
Democratic party, if candidate Of
any mere faction, or one representing
extreme and mcOmpr0mising views
upon subjects about which there is
division Of public sentiment. should be
elected Speaker II would widen diff
ferenees and foster dissensions, in
stead Of preserving harmony and wise
councils. We believe that as Speaker
he would organize the House with
thoughtful consideration in the best
interests Of the whole people. We
therefore consider both unjust aud I'M
fair though doubtless unintentionally
So the criticism Of the Brookhayen
Leader which. while acknowledging his
ability, and the distinction achieved by
Major Magruder as a leader In the last
Legislature, doubts ii he ought to b.
elected Speaker; and says il i generally
believed that he favors the present in
famous penitentiary leasing system.
that he Is understood 10 he "in sympa-
thy with the present extravagant State
administration" and besides, as one of
Col. llamiton's attorneys might natur-
ally be influenced to protect his inter
est in the making up of investigating
committees concerning the peniten-
tiary affairs.
We do not know where the Leader
gets the information that .it is gener-
ally believed that he iayors the pres
ent infamous penitentiary leasing sys-
tenn lie was, lacking one vote. unan-
lmoilsly nominated to the Legislature,
against able and popular competitors
by convention which unanimously
resolved against any system Of employ
ment of conyicis unless under the con
trol and management of the officers
and agents Of the State. No one
doubts but that this authoritative ex-
preston of his constituents will be
law of his action.
The charge that he favors extraya-
gance in the affairs of the State, Is !
without foundation. He Is known by
those who know him best, to be op-
posed to all official extravaganza. We
recall In this connection, that during |
the last Legislature he introduced and |
had passed through the House, con-
stitutional amendment limiting the
tenure of the Office of Governor to one |
tern--a measure tending to avoid pos
sible abuses of executive authority.
The idea that because Magruder is
defending Hamilton ON charge of
murder, he therefore would be influ-
enced to frame Il committee TO protect
the lattcr's interest in past leases of the
penitentiary, with which he has no
sort of connection, is an imaginary sus-
picion--and is in our opinion too far
fetched to be entertained for one
moment, in any fair discussion.-Even-
lug Post.
The Post has properly and ably vim
dicatcd Major Magruder's candidacy
from an intolerant assault Upon the
belief that he possessed just such quail
ties as the Post credits him with. and
that he would so direct business as to
ensure Its speedy and proper despatch,
we, In former issue, favored him for
speaker Much of u legislatures per-
iormance Is dependent upon the prompt
and decisive rulings OF the Speaker. A
session may be long or short, as the
speaker Is ready or unrcady In his
rulings and management of business.
Major Magrudcr, in the opinion of
those who have expressed u preference
for him, as speaker, comes up to the
true standard. But whoever is chosen
to the Office the consideration of fitness
and aptitude should rule and will un-
less the state is cursed by legislature
imbued with fanaticism and intoler-
ancc.